NHS Leeds is delighted to announce the appointments of Mr Neil Franklin OBE and Councillor Judith Blake by the Appointments Commission to the role of Non Executive Directors.

Both Neil and Judith will serve as Non Executive Directors for the period 1st February 2009 to 31st January 2013 and will be paid a remuneration of £7,765 per annum.

Neil worked as a solicitor in private practice until he joined West Yorkshire Prosecuting Solicitors' Department and was appointed to his present post of Chief Crown Prosecutor for West Yorkshire in 1999. In the 2006 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, he was awarded the OBE for his services to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Judith has been Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council since 2003 and has extensive experience across a range of policy areas, including scrutiny. Judith is committed to addressing the issues of inequalities in health and tackling key public health challenges as well as further development of primary care.

The appointments have been made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) Code of Practice. All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

In accordance with the original Nolan recommendations there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Councillor Judith Blake is an elected representative for the Labour Party and Mr Neil Franklin has no political activity to declare. Neither of the non-executive directors holds another ministerial appointment.

Martin Drury, Chairman at NHS Leeds says, "Both Neil and Judith have made an invaluable contribution to the work of NHS Leeds. I am delighted that they are continuing to work alongside us in developing successful health strategies, and ensuring that patients receive the highest quality services."

NHS Leeds is responsible for ensuring that the people of Leeds have access to the health services they need, along with directly providing a wide range of community-based services across the city. NHS Leeds is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country with a budget of £1 billion a year and serving a population of over 720,000 people. The organisation is responsible for commissioning and providing NHS services for the people of Leeds.

In addition to directly providing care for local people, NHS Leeds works closely with GP practices, pharmacists, optometrists, dentists, hospital trusts, social services, mental health services and community and voluntary organisations to commission and fund the healthcare they provide to people in Leeds. The Trust also undertakes a broad range of public health initiatives to improve the health and quality of life of local people.